Battle Scars: Peter Skean of Pottstown shot twice at Gettysburg

Pottstown native Peter W. Skean was born in 1843. In August of 1862, Skean joined the 68th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, becoming a corporal in the regiment by the time of the battle of Gettysburg.

Following the 1863 battle of Chancellorsville, Skean received a medal for single-handedly capturing two Confederate soldiers and holding them as prisoners. On July 2 of the Gettysburg battle, the regiment fought at the Peach orchard. Skean was shot twice, but after healing he was able to rejoin the regiment.

In 1865, Skean came back to Pottstown where he spent the rest of his life. He died in Janurary of 1929 and was buried in the East section of the Pottstown cemetary.

Every day, we will highlight a new person from the area who fought in the decisive battle that marked a turning point in the war or who was affected by the events. Visit the site to hear historian Michael Snyder talk about Skean and others.